Have you noticed how some sidewalks in St. Pete abruptly end while others are missing altogether? The City of St. Petersburg is looking to change that.
St. Pete is developing a Sidewalk Master Plan to evaluate the city’s existing sidewalk and curb ramp network within the public right-of-way.
The process will involve identifying gaps through a GIS-based inventory system and improving accessibility for residents with disabilities.
“For years, we’ve been building sidewalks on the sides of arterial roads, and that’s essentially complete,” Evan Mory, the city’s Transportation and Parking Management Director, said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “If there are gaps in those areas, it’s usually due to right-of-way issues or other factors that don’t make it feasible.”
The city is now shifting its focus toward expanding sidewalk connectivity in other parts of St. Pete and enhancing overall mobility.
Mory noted that the Sidewalk Master Plan is separate from initiatives such as the Complete Streets Implementation Plan, which prioritizes trails, bike lanes, and other micro-mobility improvements.
In 2025, St. Pete recorded four pedestrian fatalities and three bicycle fatalities.
Across Pinellas County, 451 pedestrian-related crashes were reported, ranking it among the most dangerous counties in Florida for pedestrians.
“One basic amenity that’s not always provided is filling in those sidewalk gaps and making it accessible for those with mobility challenges,” Mory said, speaking both as a city official and as a resident who regularly walks and bikes throughout St. Pete.
He also pointed to the need for updated curb ramps. “Some are 30 years old and don’t meet city standards anymore,” Mory said.